morning. Madam Wetherill was struck with the
likeness he bore his uncle, and certainly be made a grand-looking
soldier. Then he had to tell all about the affray, but Primrose came to
know afterward that he made light of his part in it, and but for his
suspicions and presence of mind there would have been great slaughter.

"I can hardly venture to predict, but it does seem to me that we are
nearing the end of the brunt of the fighting. It will be no secret in a
few days, but I can trust thee, I know. The French fleet may be in the
Chesapeake even now, and though Cornwallis hath fortified Yorktown and
Gloucester, we shall have the British between two fires, and all aid cut
off, even escape. I think we shall capture them, and if so, it will be
a blow they cannot recover from. War is cruel enough. I do not wonder
Christian people oppose it. But slavery of the free spirit is worse
still, and if one must strike, let it be in earnest. But we have gone
against fearful odds."

"Heaven knows how thankful we shall be to see it ended. And yet there
are nations that have fought longer still," subjoined Madam Wetherill
thoughtfully.

"And I hope, when we are through with the enemy, we shall not quarrel
among ourselves as to the making of a great country and nation. It is
not given to many men to have breadth and wisdom and foresight."

"And there have been disputes enough here. I sometimes wonder if men
have any good sense."

"Thou hast not a wonderfully high opinion of them," and Andrew smiled.

"A party of women could be but little worse, and sometimes I think would
do better."

They talked about young Wharton, and Andrew instanced many brave acts on
his part.

"If thou hadst seen them patient in hunger and cold, with poor
frost-bitten feet, and hardly a place to shelter them from the storm,
thou wouldst not rail at them."

"It is the stay-at-home soldiers who fight battles over the council
board and always win, and know just what every general and every private
could do, that provoke me! I wish sometimes they could be put in the
forefront of the battle."

"They would learn wisdom, doubtless. An enemy on paper is easily
managed."

Then Andrew had to go. And though he longed to press a kiss on the sweet
rosy lips that were fond enough last night, Primrose seemed quite a tall
young woman, and a child no longer; so, although the leave-taking was
very sincere, it had a delicate formality in it.

They had hardly time to